The question of which ethnicity is the oldest among Igbo, Benin, and Yoruba has been debated for a long time by historians, anthropologists, and fans of African history. These three ethnicities have long and rich histories, cultural traditions, and stories. Each has its tales of origin and archaeological proof showing their ages. In this article, we shall look at the origins, histories, and cultural contributions of these tribes to determine which may be the oldest.
An Overview of the Tribes
Igbo
The Igbo people mostly occupy the southeastern part of Nigeria. They are noted for their entrepreneurial spirit, rich cultural heritage, and tradition of governance that includes the people. The Igbo language belongs to the Niger-Congo family of languages and is one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with a population of about 40 million people. The Igbo people also live in Delta State (including Delta North, known as Anioma), parts of Rivers State, Benue State, and Kogi State, and some areas in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Benin
The Benin people are generally associated with the Edo ethnic group and hail from what is now known as Edo State in southern Nigeria. They are famous for the ancient Benin Kingdom, which lasted many centuries and was noted for its highly developed political systems, art, and trade networks. The influence of the Benin Kingdom stretched far beyond what is today Nigeria, establishing it as one of the most influential African civilizations.
Yoruba
The Yoruba people are mostly found in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Many also inhabit Benin and Togo. They are known for their well-organized political structures and cities such as Ife and Oyo. The Yoruba people are also known for their rich stories, art, and culture. In the Yoruba traditions, there is a strong concern for gods (Orìṣà) as well as a strong link to ancestors.
Historical Background and Origin
Igbo Origins
Early History and Genetic Evidence
Igboland, in southeastern Nigeria, is one of the oldest places where humans lived and developed. Studies from the African Genome Variation Project show that the Igbo people have been in this area for tens of thousands of years. Their ancestors included early hunter-gatherers, and they shared some genetic traits with the Khoisan people from about 9,000 years ago. A genetic marker (Y chromosome haplogroup E-M2) common in the Igbo dates back 39,300 years, proving their long history in the region, possibly since 37,350 BC.
Igbo Ukwu Culture and Early Life
The Igbo Ukwu culture from the 8th and 9th centuries AD shows the Igbo had advanced skills in art and metalwork. This culture came before those of Ife and Benin, making it one of the earliest in West Africa. Evidence shows the Igbo were foraging and living in the area as early as 8000 BC, using simple tools like hand axes, sharpened sticks for digging yams, and nets for fishing.
Connections to Other African Groups
Genetic studies reveal that ancient Igbo populations interacted with other groups in Africa, such as the Khoisan and Bantu people. These interactions, which happened over thousands of years, shaped their genetic traits. For example, some Igbo genes link to early Holocene populations, showing they were part of larger movements across Africa.
READ MORE: 40,000 Years Ago in Igboland: A Journey Through Ancient Igbo Origins
Benin Origins
The Benin Kingdom, also called the Edo Kingdom, was established around 1180 AD. Traditionally, the kingdom is said to have been ruled first by the Ogisos—”Kings of the Sky”—before the arrival of Oranmiyan, a prince from the Yoruba city of Ife. The influence of Oranmiyan initiated the rule of the Oba dynasty, which still exists today.
The Benin people have a solid history in the arts, particularly bronze-making. The famous Benin Bronzes, which date back to at least the 13th century, are proof of a sophisticated and highly organized society.
Yoruba Origins
The Yoruba people believe their origin is in Ile-Ife, which they consider the cradle of Yoruba civilization. According to Yoruba legends, Ile-Ife was founded by Oduduwa, a popular ancestral figure said to have descended from heaven. Historically, Ile-Ife has been in existence since about 500 AD and is thus one of the oldest cities in West Africa.
Archaeological evidence shows that Yoruba civilization is very old. For example, the Ife terracottas are from the 12th century and show how good the Yoruba were in arts and culture. Another major Yoruba state was the Oyo Empire, which came later and was important in politics and trade in West Africa.
Comparing Ancient Times: Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Igbo Evidence
The Igbo-Ukwu archaeological site provided strong evidence of an advanced Igbo society as far back as the 9th century AD. Many artifacts were discovered at that site, including elaborate examples of bronze castings—which provide some of the earliest evidence of bronze working in sub-Saharan Africa. Some of this evidence shows highly complex societies with sophisticated technical and trading systems dating to the first millennia AD.
Benin Evidence
The Benin Kingdom’s history is obtained from oral tradition, written accounts, and findings of excavations. The 13th-century Benin Bronzes give us insight into how advanced the state was in art and science. The earlier period of the Benin Kingdom under the Ogisos is less well-known due to limited archaeological data.
Yoruba Evidence
Stories told and finds from archaeology, particularly at Ile-Ife, sustain the civilization of the Yoruba. The Ife terracottas and other finds indicate that Ile-Ife was a thriving city as early as the 6th century AD. This puts Yoruba culture as one of the oldest in the region with a long tradition of urban civilization and great art.
Cultural Contributions and Influence
Igbo Contributions
The Igbo have a system of government that is based on consensus and participation by all members of society. They have contributed to African art and culture in the form of intricate bronze artwork from Igbo-Ukwu and vibrant masquerade traditions, such as the Mmanwu festivals. The Igbo people were major traders prior to the period of colonization, establishing a link between West Africa and other parts of the world.
Contributions by Benin
The influence of the Benin Kingdom was far ahead of its territorial boundaries. The Benin Bronzes are some of the most prized artworks in African history. Their designs are very complex and of high historical significance.
The systems of governance, trade relationships, and even military strategy were well developed, hence making the state a powerful force that dominated the neighboring areas for a long period.
Contributions of the Yoruba
The Yoruba people have contributed a lot to the religion, art, and literature of Africa. Many Orìšàs are present in Yoruba myths, which have influenced African spirituality all over the continent and the world. Yoruba’s artwork is well known across the globe, such as the Ife terracottas and bronze works. In addition, the Yoruba language and culture have expanded to many places, mainly through their people who are abroad.
Debating Which Tribe is Oldest
Determining which ethnicity is the oldest requires deep thought about old tools, stories passed down through families, and written records. Here are some key points to consider:
- The Igbo-Ukwu artifacts show that Igbo had a developed society as early as the 9th century AD.
- The Ife terracottas show that Yoruba civilization was strong by the 6th century AD.
- The Benin Bronzes date back to the 13th century, but even earlier bits of the Benin Kingdom can still be discovered.
Oral Traditions
Yoruba accounts point out that Ile-Ife is where the Yoruba civilization started, and its origin dates back possibly to the 5th or 6th century AD.
- Igbo accounts identify the ancient history of the Nri Kingdom, which started around 900 AD.
- Benin stories say the kingdom began with the Ogiso dynasty, which was before the time of the Oba.
- Historical accounts show there are strong linkages in the histories of Yoruba and Benin through key people like Oranmiyan, who shaped both cultures.
- Igbo history is less centralized, making it harder to compare directly with the Benin and Yoruba kingdoms.
Igbo, Benin, and Yoruba—has a very distinct and very old history, but it is not clear which is the oldest. Archaeological evidence has shown that the Yoruba civilization, particularly Ile-Ife, is possibly the oldest town in the region, dating back to the 6th century AD. Still, the sophisticated culture of the Igbo, as expressed in the Igbo-Ukwu artifacts, is also ancient and significant.
The history of the Benin Kingdom came a bit late into the records, but it had very advanced political systems and art. The era of these ethnicities says a lot about the varied and rich history of Nigeria and West Africa. Rather than asking which ethnicity is older, it is more rewarding to acknowledge the important impact and contributions to human civilization made by the Igbo, Benin, and Yoruba.
References
- Afigbo, A. E. (1981). Ropes of sand: Studies in Igbo history and culture. University of Nigeria Press.
- Bradbury, R. E. (1973). Benin studies. Oxford University Press.
- Drewal, H. J., & Schildkrout, E. (Eds.). (1990). The Yoruba artist: New theoretical perspectives on African arts. Smithsonian Institution Press.
- Law, R. (1977). The Oyo Empire, c.1600–1836: A West African imperialism in the era of the Atlantic slave trade. Clarendon Press.
- Ryder, A. F. C. (1969). Benin and the Europeans, 1485–1897. Longman Group Limited.
- Shaw, T. (1970). Igbo-Ukwu: An account of archaeological discoveries in Eastern Nigeria. Cambridge University Press.
- Willett, F. (1967). Ife in the history of West African sculpture. Thames and Hudson.
